Taking a step back in time

By Corporal Simone Liebelt

SGT Hayden Inwood with his father, Malcolm, at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

Photo by LACW Melina Mancuso

IT WAS an emotional day at the RAAF Base Edinburgh Sergeants’ Mess recently when one of its members watched his Dad be honoured for serving in Vietnam.

Sergeant Hayden Inwood, from No. 11 Squadron, had organised for his dad, Malcolm, to be formally presented with his Vietnam medals, more than 35 years after earning them in the war.

It was a special moment for the aircraft technician, who is the 4th generation Inwood to do active service. His great grandfather, Stanley, and great uncle, Roy – who was awarded the Victoria Cross – served in World War I, and his grandfather Hurtle served in World War II.

He said his dad was never formally recognised for his service as an infantry soldier in the 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (9RAR), as he had missed the official welcome and medal presentation ceremony held in Australia after the war.

“Dad had to remain on active duty for another two months after his tour of Vietnam had ended, so when he got home, his medals were merely given to him by the orderly room clerk at his barracks,” he said.

“He only received two medals and the ribbons were on the wrong ones. He pretty much just threw them in the cupboard and never wore them.”

After finding the medals in poor condition last year, Sergeant Inwood spent about nine months researching and was able to acquire his dad’s full entitlement of six medals, which he had mounted in a display case.

He then organised the official presentation at Edinburgh, attended by most of his family and veterans from 9RAR.

He said he had managed to keep it a surprise from Malcolm, who had to be given special leave from hospital to visit the base in a wheelchair.

“I had told Dad that I’d organised for him to look over the Huey helicopter, so while he was doing that I got everyone to the Sergeant’s Mess,” Sergeant Inwood said.

“It had been a while since he’d seen a Huey, so he had a bit of a cry, and then when he arrived at the Mess he had a good cry – particularly when he recognised on old war mate, Leon Eddy, who he hadn’t seen for about 35 years.

“Leon presented him with his 9RAR tie and they had a hug and [another] cry.”

Army Commander Reserves Major General Neil Wilson then presented Malcolm with his medals on behalf of the Australian Army.

“The best part for Dad was that he finally got the recognition he deserved for his service in Vietnam, and the best part for me was when he recognised one of his mates from the war,” he said.

“Although he never really talked about his time in Vietnam, it was obvious that the experience affected him very much.

“As one Vet said to me, ‘for too long your dad has been lost and now we’ve finally found him and will be there for him’.”

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